Thursday, March 21, 2013

Sigh...these pictures are taken here in our area--I travel this road quite frequently and had planned on going to town today via this road. From what I gather, this is a bit further south on the Highway, but still, pretty crazy out there.

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Photo via 102.3 Now Radio Edmonton

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Photo via Sun News

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Photo via GlobalTV Edmonton

Photo via Edmonton Journal

(Most of the pictures should be linked to the stories they are attached to--just click on the pictures)

RCMP are not recommending travel this afternoon.

Emergency crews have been busy responding to several motor vehicle collisions along the QE 2, including a 60 car pile up just south of the Millet overpass.

The Leduc Integrated Traffic Services Unit advising the highway is in poor condition, both north and southbound lanes.

The RCMP are asking motorists to refrain from traveling at this time, and ask those who are to turn on their headlights, yield to emergency vehicles, use extreme caution and reduce your speed.

RCMP are also advising anyone who happens to go off the road or get stuck to please remain in your vehicle until they can safely get alternative transportation and not walk on or near the highway, as it is unsafe to do so.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

So, I thought I'd join in on the fun and show you where I sew and what I sew on. I have done a previous post about my sewing machine, but I'll recap some here...

This is my sewing machine--a Janome 4120 QDC.

This was a birthday present from my dear husband--about 2.5 months before my birthday...

My old Shark had given up and the old Elna I had gotten for a wedding present, I just could not figure out. Plus, there was no bobbins for it that I could find and I really did not want to spend a fortune on bobbins, etc from E-bay when I did not even know if I could figure it out.

So, in came this sewing machine. I was intent on getting a Pfaff ambition, and was so certain that that was what I'd get. Until I tested them both and really liked this one better--a lot better.

I have NOT named it and really don't intend too--I was very picky about any stickers being put on and was disappointed that my sewing machine shop put one on after I had brought it in for maintenance...

So, that is my machine, very briefly. If you want to hear a bit more about it, you can check out that other post here.

Here is my sewing space:

It's an L-shaped desk where I have one half for sewing and often my husband will be sitting behind me doing his Spanish on the computer. I admit, I often take up more than my fair share--I actually tidied up before I took the pictures. And, in that left-hand corner, I have a plastic bag where I throw in all my scraps that are pretty much un-usable, though I do sometimes dig in there and find things I can use--as do my children! Under that is my old shark and the quilting table extension for my machine plus my cutting mat and rulers. I also have my thread in a plastic bin there as well as things like rotary cutter, safety pins, fabric markers, needles, etc.

And, here is where I store some of my fabric (flannel on the right, knits on the left) plus there are my patterns in the green bag, all in individual large ziploc bags. My sewing books are beside that green bag, to the right and to the left is my interfacing, wonder-under, zippers, buttons, bias-tape, etc. This is in my laundry room, right across from where I sew, in a tiny, relatively dark room that is squishy.

My ironing board against one wall, and I can turn around in the middle to reach over to grab stuff out of those cupboards (above picture) above my washing machine and dryer.

This stack of bins with the rest of my fabric stash is right behind the laundry room door, right beside my ironing board. (From top to bottom, knits, quilting cotton, home-dec/and heavier fabrics.)

I'd LOVE to have my own sewing room where I could put up shelves to put my fabric stash on. But, the benefit of this set-up right now is that I am in the main area of the house so I can keep an eye on my four kids while I sew, and in that way I can actually sew while the kids are up. Plus, it's nice to just spend time close to my husband in the evenings--even if that means sitting almost back to back!

Oh, and in other news, here is the last fat-eighth bundle that I won from Randi at Fresh-Squeezed Fabrics. Love this bundle, and have to figure out what I'll do with them yet!

Thursday, March 14, 2013

So, I went through the few I have, knowing that there were a couple of ugly, ugly patterns in there.

The only thing I can think of taking from this pattern is the neckline. But, who ever thought of making a pattern that can go for both men and women?! That just does not work--we have such different body shapes...

Anyway, this top one just made me giggle. I don't know if it's the choice of fabric or the absolutely silly shape of those pants. Definitely 70's style.

Ah, and then this one. Yes, I can just picture sleeping in something like this! Ha, yes I'll sniff a rose while I'm at it too! And, that cinched up waist--reminds me of Ma Ingalls, who apparently had a waist that could be spanned by her husband's hands. Yes, very stylish--definitely hour-glass shape.

Anyway, those are two of my ugly patterns.

I actually have one where they've covered the whole room in fabric. Yes, even the walls--I got that one in a box of vintage patterns.

Friday, March 8, 2013

A couple of weeks ago, my oldest son came up to me and said, "Mom, you always sew for Anna, when are you going to sew something for us?"

"Um...."

So, I went fabric shopping after realizing that it does NOT have to be everyday clothes. In fact, it could be something fun--such as Knights!

I first sewed up these capes. They are mainly out of broadcloth though the black is a quilting cotton. They are reversible--the same C and I are done in the opposite color combo on the back. The boys were allowed to pick their own colors and these are the ones they came up with.

I had put it on hold a couple of times to whip other things up in the meantime--something I don't often do because I like to finish what I start. But, some pattern testing and a fun project for my boys had to be done. (I will post about those later--the pattern has not come out yet and I have to do step 2 in the boys' project. (step 1 is done completely and in use already--so not an unfinished project, just an other part of the project.))

And, the paper pieced star block is from Sew Happy Geek's tutorial here. I didn't use the tutorial--just the pattern.

The fabrics are from Walmart so I do not know the name or designer--they were a fat quarter bundle there and the brown was about three yards of their cotton (baby bolt I think is what they call those.)

Plus, I used some pink flannel to thicken up this thin fabric by quilting it to the back.

The stuffing is three 16 oz bags of polyester fibrefill and I had a pillow with similar stuffing laying around that no body was or will be using--it is now a flat, empty pillowcase...

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I did add a zipper to the bottom so that I could take the stuffing out if necessary and wash the cover. And, I'm glad I did--I really do not like handstitching and to handstitch a whole side closed would have been a bit much, I'd say. Plus, you can adjust the stuffing if needed--especially to keep the tuffet corners nice and stuffed.

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